248 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
numbers, although the catch is yet unimportant, probably because no 
systematic efforts are made witli proper apparatus. The fishermen iu 
this region have undoubtedly been wise in refraining from making any 
special attempt to capture shad, since the species is thus afforded an 
opportunity to multiply, which it otherwise might be prevented from 
doing. They run in spring and summer. The average weight of those 
taken at Tacoma was pounds, although individuals have been 
obtained which weighed 6J pounds. 
Salmon trout occur about the head of Puget Sound in the vicinity of 
Olympia. Oft* Johnson Point and near Tacoma are noted fishing 
grounds for them. Considerable quantities are taken for the market. 
Sardines {C. sagax) occur here in the warmer part of the season, and 
are taken with herring and other species for market. An effort will 
probably soon be made to can sardines here as at San Francisco. 
Dogfish ($. acanthias) are rather plentiful. A considerable number 
are taken for oil. Hammond claims, however, that this species “has 
become entirely extinct on some of the old fishing grounds, and on many 
others where a man with 500 hooks would take from 300 to 500 dogfish 
in a night he would not take that many in an entire season now.” 
The black-cod (A. fimbria) is said to be numerous in deep water in the 
Strait of Juan de Fuca. It is only obtained incidentally and is not an 
object of commercial fishery. 
Crabs are not abundant but are taken to a moderate extent for local 
consumption. Shrimp are plentiful, but only a few are caught. Clams 
of several varieties occur at the head of the Sound, where they are taken 
in considerable quantities. There are four varieties of clams : Schizo- 
tlicerus nuttalli; giant clam, Glycimeris generosa ; common round clam, 
Tapes staminea ; and long clam, Mya arenaria. 
Swan says that u the cockle, 1 Gardium corbis J is very plentiful, and 
is dried by the Indians in great quantities for their winter use and to 
sell to the tribes of the interior.” It may be said that at the present 
time the cockle is not of any commercial importance. 
Native oysters occur most abundantly at the head of the Sound, in 
the coves, and on the flat, shallow reaches, many of which uncover at 
low tide. These are native beds. The oysters are small and dark- 
colored and have the characteristic coppery flavor. 
THE MARKET FISHERIES. . 
The fisheries prosecuted from ports on Puget Sound for the purpose 
of supplying the inhabitants with fresh fish have not yet reached that 
state of development and importance that warrants a very lengthy dis- 
cussion in these pages. As the coast cities and towns gradually pass 
from infancy into maturer years and become possessed of stable popu- 
lations and more intimate relations with interior towns, the demand for 
fish food will no doubt become more and more pronounced, and efforts 
will then be directed towards the market fisheries. Up to the present 
